On June 12, 19 the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted in favour of declaring “that Iran is in breach of its obligations under its 1974 Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement”.
Just a day later, Israel mounted what it referred to as “preliminary strikes” in opposition to nuclear services in Iran and declared a state of emergency at dwelling.
Three Board members — China, Russia, and Venezuela — voted in opposition to the resolution whereas 11 abstained. The Board represents 35 states in all.
The Board additionally expressed “grave concern” over Iran’s incapacity to clarify traces of uranium discovered at the nation’s Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad websites.
Resolution welcomed
The IAEA is the U.N. nuclear watchdog tasked with selling the use of nuclear vitality for peaceable functions and to discourage navy purposes, together with in nuclear weapons.
This is the first time the Board has formally established non-compliance, which is required earlier than it could possibly escalate the matter with the U.N. Security Council. A earlier resolution had solely “urged” Iran’s cooperation.
Other Gulf states have welcomed the resolution. Israel, along with launching its strikes in the early hours of June 13, repeated its stance that it received’t “allow” Iran to counterpoint uranium to 90%, which is required to supply nuclear weapons.
Tehran reacted by denouncing the resolution as “political” and saying plans for a brand new deep-underground enrichment complicated, upgrades to centrifuges at its Fordow enrichment facility, and different “proportional measures”.
Following Israeli strikes, Tehran additionally mentioned it had positioned its air defence system on alert. Israeli navy officers additionally claimed that Iran had mobilised a small fleet of drones.
Invoking Article XII.C
The Board of Governors approves security requirements, units the IAEA’s price range, and appoints the director common with the approval of the physique’s General Conference.
If and when IAEA inspectors report “non-compliance,” the Board also can name on the state to treatment the breach, curtail technical assist to the offending nation, demand the return of provided nuclear gear or supplies, and report the matter to all IAEA members.
These powers are specified below Article XII.C of its 1957 statute. Thus far, this Article has been invoked solely six instances: in opposition to Iraq (1991), Romania (1992), North Korea (1993), Iran (2006), Libya (2004), and Syria (2011).
At current the IAEA has round $1.5 million’s price of tasks in Iran, together with in the type of radiopharmaceuticals, water desalination tasks, and non-destructive nuclear assessments.
Iran now has a “reasonable” period of time inside which to answer the Board’s questions. If it doesn’t achieve this, the Board has the discretion to escalate its issues as much as the U.N. Security Council.
‘Not able to verify’
Under the 1974 Agreement, Iran is required to supply the IAEA with a list of nuclear supplies and detailed knowledge of any facility the place nuclear materials is current.
It additionally needed to notify the IAEA earlier than new services are constructed or modified, permit routine, advert hoc and particular inspections, and keep on-site units that permit the IAEA to surveil the motion of nuclear materials, particularly for weapon use.
In its newest resolution, the Board additionally discovered, “consistent with Article 19 of Iran’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, … that the Agency is not able to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material required to be safeguarded under the Agreement to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.”
If the previous is any indication, the Board is prone to vote on a follow-up report throughout one other assembly in September 2025.
Once the Security Council receives the Board’s report, it might situation a presidential assertion, undertake a resolution demanding compliance, or restore or broaden sanctions in opposition to Iran.
Next steps
The timing of the Board’s resolution is notable: solely 4 months earlier than the U.N.’s aid from sanctions below the 2015 nuclear deal expires on October 18. After this date, the sanctions are anticipated to snap again.
The resolution additionally paralleled back-channel talks in Oman, which have been stalled.
The U.S. has already mentioned it might assist a “special inspection” of Iran’s nuclear services. IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi has additionally provided a “focused technical dialogue” with Iran whereas additionally cautioning that he would be aware Iran’s failure to conform in his August report back to the Board.
Russia and China on the different hand have mentioned the resolution “politicises” safeguards. They might also veto the Board’s Security Council referral later this yr though they haven’t indicated as a lot.
Published – June 13, 2025 12:21 pm IST
